Academy star in USA Cup

The Academy Sports Club’s Under-11 and Under-12 youth teams’ first foray into competitive overseas competitions ended with the younger side winning the Schwan’s USA Cup Tournament, which is held annually in Blaine, Minnesota.

The Schwan’s USA Cup is one of the largest summer youth football tournaments in the United States. Started in 1985 and modelled after the famous Norway Cup in Europe, the Schwan’s USA Cup has always attracted teams from all over the United States and the world.

Over the years, Schwan’s USA Cup has welcomed many celebrity visitors to their fields, including Pelé; US National Team stars Michelle Akers, Freddy Adu, Mia Hamm, Cobi Jones, Kristine Lilly, Landon Donovan, Julie Foudy, Abby Wambach and Leslie Osborne; and former Italian coach Roberto Donadoni.

The 2010 tournament attracted over 450 male and female teams from 19 countries competing in the Under-9 division to the Under-19 division. The tournament is split into two sections with the Weekend Tournament played from 10-12 July and the Week Tournament which ran from 13-17 July.

With coaches Virgil Seymour and Glen Whewell guiding their players on and a large supportive group of parents cheering them on, Academy’s Under-11s were crowned champions of the Weekend Tournament last Monday going undefeated in six games, scoring 26 goals and conceding only four.

Placed in Group F with Eden Prairie Black Ninjas, Moorhead Jets and SC Waukesha Arsenal, the Cayman youngsters posted results of 6-1, 0-0 and 3-3 respectively, finishing second in the group and advancing to the playoffs.

In the playoffs, the youngsters were virtually unstoppable, playing fantastic football on their way to beating Alaska Phoenix 4-0 in the first round; PSA 7-0 in the second round and crowning their achievement with a 6-0 demolition of Topeka Select Sting in the final.

While their younger counterparts took home the gold in the Under-11 division, the Under-12s were not as fortunate. Placed in Group E with MBSA Blaze, Lakeville Lightning and PCYS Respect, Academy won 3-1, lost 1-0 and won 2-1 respectively, finishing second in the group and also advancing to the playoffs.

Facing a very tough Centennial Warriors team in the first round of the playoffs, the Cayman boys came up short losing by the narrowest of margins, 2-1. Although disappointed, the youngsters played very attractive football and were upbeat about their chances in the Week Tournament.

Both the Under-11s and Under-12s participated in the Week Tournament, which immediately followed the Weekend Tournament. A report on the results from that tournament will follow.